Shih
Tzu Breed Standard 
General Appearance
Sturdy, abundantly coated dog with
distinctly arrogant carriage and chrysanthemum-like face.
Characteristics
Intelligent, active and alert.
Temperament
Friendly and independent.
Head and Skull
Head broad, round, wide between
eyes. Shock-headed with hair falling well over eyes. Good beard and whiskers,
hair growing upwards on the nose giving a distinctly chrysanthemum-like effect.
Muzzle of ample width, square, short, not wrinkled; flat and hairy. Nose black
but dark liver in liver or liver marked dogs and about one inch from tip to
definite stop. Nose level or slightly tip-tilted. Top of nose leather should
be on a line with or slightly below lower eyerim. Wide-open nostrils. Down-pointed
nose highly undesirable, as are pinched nostrils. Pigmentation of muzzle as
unbroken as possible.
Eyes
Large, dark, round, placed well
apart but not prominent. Warm expression. In liver or liver-marked dogs, lighter
eye colour permissible. No white of eye showing.
Ears
Large, with long leathers, carried
drooping. Set slightly below crown of skull, so heavily coated they appear
to blend into hair of neck.
Mouth
Wide, slightly undershot or level.
Lips level.
Neck
Well proportioned, nicely arched.
Sufficient length to carry head proudly.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back. Legs short
and muscular with ample bone, as straight as possible, consistent with broad
chest being well let down.
Body
Longer between withers and root
of tail than height of withers, well coupled and sturdy, chest broad and deep,
shoulders firm, back level.
Hindquarters
Legs short and muscular with ample
bone. Straight when viewed from the rear. Thighs well rounded and muscular.
Legs looking massive on account of wealth of hair.
Feet
Rounded, firm and well padded, appearing
big on account of wealth of hair.
Tail
Heavily plumed, carried gaily well
over back. Set on high. Height approximately level with that of skull to give
a balanced outline.
Gait/Movement
Arrogant, smooth-flowing, front
legs reaching well forward, strong rear action and showing full pad.
Coat
Long, dense, not curly, with good
undercoat. Slight wave permitted. Strongly recommended that hair on head tied
up.
Colour
All colours permissible, white blaze
on forehead and white tip to tail highly desirable in parti-colours.
Size
Height at withers not more than
27 cms (10 1/2ins), type and breed characteristics of the utmost importance
and on no account to be sacrificed to size alone. Weight: 4.5-8 kgs (10-18
lbs). Ideal weight 4.5-7.5 kgs (10-16 lbs).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing
points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault
should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect
upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently
normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum
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